Snohomish County Treasurer

07/17/2026

Hi Friends,

I am currently at a National Association of Counties (NACo) Transportation meeting. I was asked to serve on this committee because of my extensive background in both finance and infrastructure. I thought it would be important to explain why this is important.

As County Treasurers and finance professionals, we bring a unique perspective to infrastructure policy because we don't just pay the bills; we help make projects possible. Every road, bridge, ferry, port, transit facility, and public building depends on sound financial planning, prudent investment, and access to affordable capital.

In Snohomish County, our Treasurer's Office manages an infrastructure loan program that has invested more than $50 million in public projects, helping local governments build critical infrastructure while reducing borrowing costs. At the same time, our investment program generated an additional $16 million in revenue for the County's General Fund, providing resources for essential public services without raising taxes.

That's why County Treasurers should have a seat at the table in transportation and infrastructure discussions. We understand capital markets, cash flow, debt management, public-private financing, and long-term fiscal sustainability. By involving finance professionals early in the process, counties can deliver more projects, stretch taxpayer dollars further, and build infrastructure that is both economically sound and financially sustainable. For example, I read in the local paper that the Snohomish County Airport was going to sell five million dollars in Bonds. In this business, it is extremely expensive for so little money. The Treasurer’s office proactively marketed our loan program and rapidly issued notes to the Snohomish County Airport, saving money and time.

Infrastructure isn't just about engineering; it's also about financing. When finance professionals are part of the conversation from the beginning, counties build smarter, invest wiser, and serve the public better.

06/11/2026

Dear Friends, Please see the Press Release below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Snohomish County Treasurer’s Office Community Investment Program Reaches Major Milestone with Affordable Housing Groundbreaking.
Community Investment Fund Continues to Deliver Family-Wage Jobs, Infrastructure, and Housing Across Snohomish County.

EVERETT, WA – The Snohomish County Treasurer’s Office is celebrating another major milestone in its innovative Community Investment Program with the groundbreaking of Leonard Crossing Apartments, a new 124-unit affordable housing development in Marysville.

The project, developed by the Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO), received financing through the Treasurer’s Community Investment Fund, an initiative created by Snohomish County Treasurer Brian Sullivan to responsibly leverage public investments to support critical community needs.

Leonard Crossing represents more than a housing project; it is part of a growing portfolio of investments designed to strengthen Snohomish County’s economy, create family-wage jobs, and address infrastructure and housing challenges throughout the region.

“One of my primary goals as Treasurer has been to find innovative ways to put public dollars to work for the people of Snohomish County,” said Snohomish County Treasurer Brian Sullivan. “The Community Investment Program allows local government investments to support affordable housing, economic development, and public infrastructure while maintaining the safety and integrity of taxpayer funds.”

The Community Investment Fund is the first program of its kind in Washington State. Since its creation, the program has provided financing for projects that create jobs, expand housing opportunities, and improve public infrastructure throughout Snohomish County.

To date, Community Investment Fund loans have supported:
• The Port of Everett waterfront and economic development projects, creating family-wage construction and maritime jobs.
• The Lynnwood Public Facilities District and regional economic development initiatives.
• The Housing Authority of Snohomish County’s affordable housing developments, including Leonard Crossing Apartments.
• Infrastructure and economic development investments at the Snohomish County Airport, supporting aerospace and aviation-related employment.
Together, these investments represent tens of millions of dollars directed toward projects that generate long-term public benefit while preserving strong financial stewardship of county resources.

The Leonard Crossing Apartments project demonstrates the impact these investments can have on local communities. Located near downtown Marysville, public transit, shopping, and healthcare services, the development will provide affordable housing options for working families, seniors, and residents seeking housing stability in one of the fastest-growing areas of Snohomish County.

As Marysville’s population is projected to grow by more than 40 percent over the next two decades, investments in housing and infrastructure will be essential to maintaining economic vitality and quality of life.

“The groundbreaking at Leonard Crossing is exactly the type of project the Community Investment Program was designed to support,” Sullivan said. “Affordable housing creates stronger communities, supports local employers, and helps ensure that teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, and working families can continue to live in the communities they serve.”
“Our success with Leonard Crossing and other projects demonstrates that local government can be innovative, fiscally responsible, and impactful at the same time,” Sullivan added.

About the Community Investment Program:
The Snohomish County Treasurer’s Community Investment Program utilizes a portion of the county’s investment portfolio to provide financing for public projects that support affordable housing, economic development, public infrastructure, and job creation. The program is designed to maintain the highest standards of investment safety while generating measurable community benefits throughout Snohomish County.

Media Contact:
Snohomish County Treasurer
Snohomish County Treasurer’s Office
Everett, Washington

05/23/2026

Hi Dear Friends,

I just returned from Washington, D.C., where I worked on Banking and Infrastructure financing. Below is a link to the "BUILD America 250 Act". I thought Bills were complicated in Olympia! Representative Rick Larsen did an amazing job as the ranking member working across the aisle. This 588 billion dollar bill will create jobs and invest in America. Now titled "BUILD America 250 ACT."

04/18/2026

Hi Friends, Please join Councilmember Dunn and me at the Loft Coffee shop. Bring your questions and ideas for a casual chat. I will have information on our senior tax deferral program.

04/11/2026

This Article breaks my heart. I worked on some of the original legislation that created the State Public Works Trust Fund in or around 1982 for Senator Vignild. When I came back in 2000 as a member, we had over a billion dollars in loans at half the bond rate. Sadly, the legislature has been tapping the fund to fill budget holes, and now the state is selling bonds at twice the rate at which the money is being borrowed. Not a good business model at all. Below is the link to the analysis

(The Center Square) - Washington state is indirectly using bond debt to cover its operating budget despite record revenue and the largest tax increase in the state's history, according to

03/16/2026

Hi Friends, I will be hosting coffee in every county council district. Please join us in Lake Stevens this Thursday.

11/13/2025

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